What makes a supercar a supercar? Sure, a mid-engined form factor and obscene power have something to do with it, but the biggest barrier other than exclusivity is a top speed just north of 200 mph. Well, if top speed is anything to judge it by, the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 just blasted past supercar territory and into the hypercar realm with a top speed of 233 mph. No, that’s not a typo — it’s now slated to be the fastest mass-produced American car ever.
So, how do you go 233 mph in a stock Corvette ZR1? It all starts with skipping the fancy ZTK aero package. While the big wing, gurney flap, and other aero mods will keep ZR1s equipped with this package stuck to the track, the drag does have a negative effect on the top speed. So, base aero package, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, aluminum wheels, basically exactly what you’d get if you ordered a ZR1 with zero options. Time for Chevrolet to see what it can do on the 2.5-mile banked test track at ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg, which is in Papenburg, which is in Germany.
On the first day, Corvette ZR1 lead development engineer Chris Barber gave a practice run a shot. A 230 mph-plus practice run. While Barber stated that the 50-degree banking at ATP was “unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” he also noted that on the straightaway, “The car feels stable so that it doesn’t present as that big of an event.” However, that was only a practice run for a reason.
See, official top speed attempts are run in two directions to counteract surface grade and wind direction. With a tailwind and a slight downhill slope, a car can be way faster in one direction than the other. This requirement for a two-way average is also why the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ is excluded from the record books — it only ran in one direction.
Well, according to GM, company president Mark Reuss set out the very next day for a true two-way run. The result? A genuine two-way average of 233 mph, no bones about it. Take a second to realize how absolutely insane that is, and if it doesn’t sink in, consider the following:
In stock form, the new ZR1 is right in the ballpark of the McLaren F1 when it comes to top speed. While some sources cite a top speed of 240 mph, McLaren itself modified that car by bumping up the rev limiter to 8,300 RPM. Dial things back to stock, and you’ll see that Car And Driver reported that “The F1 runs into the 7500-rpm redline in sixth at 221 mph,” in a period-correct road test. Ghouls and goblins, we now have a Corvette with a factory warranty that’ll keep up with the ultimate supercar of the 1990s.
What’s more, the new Corvette ZR1 is faster than the new McLaren W1, faster than a LaFerrari, faster than a Porsche 918 Spyder, a McLaren P1, or a Ferrari SF90. It’s just as fast as at the top end as a Pagani Zonda R. We’re talking hypercar top speed born in Kentucky, and sold from the same showroom that’ll also happily let you order a one-ton heavy-duty pickup truck.
The King of the Hill is back, baby. Chevrolet has crafted something that, with a long enough runway, only the most elite cars in the world can keep up with. We’re talking seven-figure machines with Forbes List clientele and famous Instagram accounts. The new Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 won’t be nearly that expensive, but it definitely won’t be cheap either. Still, maybe, if you re-mortgage your home, you can drive GM’s world-destroyer. So, Europe, what’s your move?
(Photo credits: Chevrolet)
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Honestly, the fact that the president of the friggin company was the one putting on these laps – I’m not a GM fan, but I’ll take that as a pretty positive sign for the company. Nice when the suits actually like cars.
Everyone on Earth is proud to be American when GM launches a new Vette
*salutes the American flag from Canada*
I wonder what the 0-100-0 is on the ZR1?
The line between “sportscar” and “hypercar” is pretty grey.
And using a ~30-year old McLaren as a benchmark for modern vehicle for crossing that line purely on speed seems as arbitrary line as it gets.
But – I don’t think anyone ever stated that the Vette couldn’t run with far more expensive cars in the hands of a skilled driver. It was always the “affordable” one – albeit getting further from that ‘affordable’ point every year.
What I find amazing is that Chevrolet didn’t even have to hire a professional “Skilled Driver” to hit the 233 mph mark.
“Well, according to GM, company president Mark Reuss set out the very next day for a true two-way run. The result? A genuine two-way average of 233 mph, no bones about it. Take a second to realize how absolutely insane that is.“
I know a local Chevy dealership owner that goes out and absolutely smokes his friends. He uses a stock corvette from the showroom floor (c6, c7, now c8), his friends use all manner of exotic supercars. He rents a track for half a day and he absolutely smokes them over and over again.
Corvettes have been so capable for a long time. I’m wonder if people will start to notice now.
200MPH+ crash in Metro Phoenix in 3..2…
Huh, I just saw a C6 ZR1 in traffic on the way back from lunch today, window in the hood and all. Talk about coincidences.
So that (lack of) options clocks in at… huh, $180k-ish. For north of 1000 HP and 233 mph. That is disturbingly reasonable.
I predict a large amount of estate planning will be needed in the near future for the intended customer base.
It will probably be less than that. The Z06 starts at $110-115K or so and they still need to leave pricing room for a Zora above the ZR1.
$150K to start seems more realistic to me, but it will be a long time before you can find one below $200.
Who made the call that Mark should be the one driving???
https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/21316/gm-executive-mark-reuss-issues-apology-for-crashing-chevy-corvette-zr1
Another example of continuous improvement at General Motors.
IMHO an executive suit laying on those laps is pretty impressive.
Right? I think it’s rad.
This totally deserves a Fuck yeah! ‘MURICA!
That black and white flag is cringe, otherwise NOM NOM NOM
My patriotism 99% of the time: I mostly like this place but holy fucking shit do we have issues
My patriotism when a production line American car embarrasses things that cost 5 times as much: THAT’S FREEDOM BABY! AMERICAAAAAA….FUCK YEAH!
Yes!
Well put.
WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE!
I’m glad this exists.
Or a Chevy Express that was also sold alongside the C4.
No no no, you’ve got it all wrong! It’s the Chevy Express van who’s engine’s strength, durability, and exceptional design has evolved into that of the ZR1. Or at least I’m sure some small town dealer will try sell their express vans that way. Not really much to talk about with em besides “hey this new one doesn’t have sealed beam headlights anymore!”
The van has offered a small block V8 for exactly as many of those intervening years as the Corvette has.
Now without sealed beams – more expensive AND more difficult to repair!
Seriously though. It still looks like it from the late 90’s. It REALLY needs a facelift of some kind.
Edit: I just learned you can get rain guards that fit Express vans from 1996 to new ones.
The Autopian should do one of those design concept things they do for a new Chevy Express.
That is because Express van bodies are unchanged (apart from a facelift more than 20 years ago) since 1996. Hence the original comment about C4 Corvettes.
Well I figured that part out, but holy crap there just pumping these things out without anybody caring now, which to me is kinda sad because it’s been going on for 20+ years now. Either kill it or give it SOMETHING to bring it up to 2015 at least.
Funny you say that, because right now a 7- or 9-seat conversion of a late model Express is among my dream vehicles. Available 6.6l L8T engine (~400hp/400 ft.-lbs. torque) and 8-speed auto.
Coming from someone who drove a ’97 Econoline with the 4.6l Triton and 4-speed auto for 7 years….that sounds like a taste of heaven.
It’s a tool. Why change a hammer just to change it? And they used to make a facelifted version, it was called the GMC Safari haha
I’d consider a pickup truck a tool, and they update those trucks every 5ish years at least!
Oh now they need to make a Chevy Supervan with C8 ZR1 underpinnings
If you want to look at it another way, the Express could be considered a supercar of a different kind. A vehicle whose form factor for the task was so nearly perfect the first time out that it’s barely needed any changes in decades that followed.
What is a supercar really other than a vehicle whose performance excels in its category?
What’s funny about this is the Wiki page for the Express lists no less than 20 engine options from 4 small block generations (including related V6s), 2 big block generations, and 3 completely separate diesel engine families (Detroit, Duramax, baby Duramax 4 cyl). So they clearly aren’t opposed to powertrain changes.
But you’re right, the form is absolutely perfect. There’s niches this kind of van can fill that the Transit-style ones can’t.
Thank god George Burns (born 1896) lived long enough to see it.
I’m trying to imagine what the Express can do that the Tranists can’t but I’m drawing a blank. Roof clearance, maybe?
Higher towing in all forms and higher payload as a cutaway.
The Transit and similar are more space efficient but less capable.
Ah, makes a lot of sense. Back before I got chained to this desk I drove both a work vans, but never did any towing.
Paint adhesion could have used some work, though-especially on the hood.
I am pretty sure a Corvette (including this ZR1) will be better than TWO things than the competition: Reliability (even with its issues), and cost of maintenance (although DO NOT EXPECT it to be like that of a Sedan…).